Larry Barnes: The Bootmaker of Granger

Larry Barnes

For over two decades, the name Barnes Boots was synonymous with quality, craftsmanship, and friendly service in the Granger area of what is now West Valley City. Owned and operated by longtime resident Larry Barnes, the shop was more than just a place to get your boots repaired—it was a fixture in the community, a symbol of hard work and local pride.

Larry Barnes was born in Montana and spent his formative years working on ranches in Big Sky Country, where he first developed a love for leatherwork. After moving to Utah, he was educated locally—attending Monroe Elementary, Valley Junior High, and graduating from Granger High School. Following a brief stint working in Montana’s timber country, he returned to Utah and took a job with Hiland Dairy.

But Larry had a dream—and it was stitched together with leather and perseverance. After receiving brief but intensive training in shoe repair, he launched a small side business while still working full-time at the dairy. It meant long hours and hard work, but Larry never shied away from either. Eventually, he bought out the only other shoe repair shop in the Granger Shopping Center and began selling ready-made boots alongside his repairs.

In 1968, Larry committed full-time to his growing enterprise. With help from his wife, father, and brother, Barnes Boots expanded steadily, changing locations several times before settling in its most memorable home: the Market Street Strip Mall. The store became instantly recognizable thanks to its enormous, elevated boot sign—a landmark locals could spot from miles away.

Friendly service, honest prices, and meticulous craftsmanship made Barnes Boots a favorite in the area. Whether you needed a pair of boots resoled, a zipper repaired, or just a chat with Larry, the shop always had an open door and a warm welcome.

In 1977, Larry sold the retail portion of his business to Ted Sproul in order to focus solely on the repair side, where he continued to see steady growth. His dedication to his craft and the community did not go unnoticed. In March of 1984, Larry Barnes was honored as the West Valley Area Chamber of Commerce’s Businessman of the Month, a recognition well-deserved for a man who built his business from the ground up and stitched his name into the history of Granger.

Though the Market Street Strip Mall and the iconic boot sign have long since disappeared, the memory of Larry Barnes—and the shop that carried his name—still lingers warmly in the hearts of longtime residents. He was more than a businessman; he was a neighbor, a craftsman, and a piece of the living history of Granger.